Gillibrand adds $1.6 million to campaign warchest

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., added $1.6 million to her campaign warchest during the first three months of this year — marking nearly $9 million raised since the former lawmaker was sworn into the Senate last January.

Gillibrand came into the race at a serious disadvantage; unlike her peers in the Senate who have had six years to campaign and raise money, Gillibrand will be in the Senate seat less than two years before she faces voter statewide. Given her late start, some could view the $9 million Gillibrand has raised since joining the Senate as an indication of her fundraising prowess. And Gillibrand is heading into serious fundraising season, when political contributors start sending dollars to campaigns nationwide.

But Gillibrand’s haul still falls far short of the amount most Senate incumbents — and hopefuls — in New York have to put up to be competitive in a state with legendarily expensive federal races. During the 2000 race, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Republicans Rick Lazio and Rudolph Giuliani spent $90 million.

Campaign filings for the first quarter of 2010 are due to the Federal Election Commission today. Check back for a roundup of the reported fundraising by Capital Region lawmakers and New York’s two senators.